“I think there is some insight involved in getting to know those guys over a course of the week and it can confirm some of our scouts’ evaluations that have already worked very long and hard into getting guys evaluated this fall season,” Schwartz said. “It can also maybe give us a different perspective on some other guys. Maybe we get a little bit more time with some other guys.”

The Lions have coached the Senior Bowl eight previous times and last ran a team in 2010, when they got a first-hand look at Wayne State running back Joique Bell.

Reunited at the end of last season, Bell became a major contributor for the Lions this fall. He finished second on the team in rushing with 82 carries for 414 yards, and was the third-leading receiver with 52 catches for 485 yards.

“He was a guy we always sort of had in the back of our minds and our experience with him that week helped get him here,” Schwartz said. “He knew our coaching staff and we knew a little bit about him, not just what we saw on film as an NFL player. He was able to go and it appears as though he was able to get his NFL career started this year and was a contributor on offense and I think we’re only seeing the beginning of Joique Bell.”

Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher and Michigan State cornerback Johnny Adams are among the 2013 draft prospects who’ve already committed to play in the game. Michigan’s Denard Robinson was invited as a receiver, but he has yet to respond. Robinson also will play running back if he decides to play, a Senior Bowl official said today.